The Houston Independent School district has named new principals at three elementary schools. They are:
Category Archives: Elementary Schools
Principals selected, changes proposed for North Forest schools
As the State of Texas moves forward with its order to close North Forest ISD and annex the area into the Houston Independent School District, HISD is making plans to change the purpose of some NFISD buildings and selecting staff for NFISD schools.
In addition, the district plans to recommend attendance zones for the North Forest area to meet the needs of transferred students, and make modest changes to HISD school attendance zones for areas adjoining the North Forest boundary later this summer. Pursuant to the order issued by Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams, these changes will take effect on July 1, 2013.
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Hundreds volunteer at schools for Deloitte’s annual ‘Impact Day’
Class may be out for the summer, but three Houston ISD schools kept their doors open on Friday, June 7, 2013, as roughly 300 Deloitte employees poured in to beautify the campuses as part of the company’s annual ‘Impact Day’ service project. The Deloitte volunteers divided themselves between Wharton Elementary, Hamilton Middle, and Reagan High School and spent the day providing both aesthetic and functional improvements to the schools.
Teachers’ pens hit paper as Summer Writing Institute begins
Instructor Edward Wilson uses a nursery rhyme to explain the basics of writing at the Summer Writing Institute.
Even though classes for students ended last Thursday, some teachers were on the other side of the desk this week as they began work on their own lessons during Houston ISD’s Summer Writing Institute.
More than 230 educators began learning the ins-and-outs of writing, including assessment, instruction, development and theory in one of the four 12-day training sessions this summer. The Institute is the first of its kind for the district as it continues its effort to increase teacher development.
Golfcrest Elementary students try new fruits, vegetables at school festival
Students handle a large papaya.
While an apple a day may keep the doctor away, HISD’s Food Services department is hoping to get students to eat a few more than just a single piece of fruit.
Students at Golfcrest Elementary finished off a 3-week long nutritional curriculum with a taste-testing session held last week. The International Fruit and Veggie Festival allowed students to learn about food items with which they might not be familiar.
Books Between Kids promotes reading, peer-to-peer philanthropy
Books Between Kids founders Amy Barnes & Sandra Ahlhorn with students from Kashmere Gardens ES
More than 12,000 HISD students will be starting off their summer vacation right—with an armload of books to take home, enjoy, and keep—thanks to two book-loving ladies and the non-profit they created last year to support literacy.
“Building home libraries, one summer at a time,” is the slogan of Books Between Kids, which Sandra Ahlhorn and Amy Barnes cofounded in 2012, and that is precisely what the longtime friends (and parents of HISD students) intend to do.
“What really provoked me was an op-ed piece I read in the newspaper that children were living in homes with no books,” explained Barnes. “And ‘no’ means ‘none.’ We both grew up in book-loving homes, so that just didn’t seem possible. Then Sandra heard a talk given by (HISD Superintendent) Terry Grier about the summer slide, and we both thought, ‘You know, we can do something about this.’”
HISD to Offer Free Summer Meals Program at more than 200 campuses
Families invited to kick-off parties on June 11 and 12
The Houston Independent School District’s free summer meal program kicks off on June 11 at more than 200 schools. Children ages 1 to 18 will be able to enjoy a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost through mid-July. The start of the program will be celebrated with kick-off parties at Bonham and Kashmere Gardens elementary schools.
The ‘Summer Food, Summer Fun’ kick-off parties on June 11 and 12 will include giveaways, music, games and a special visit from Ace the nutrition mascot.
Children do not have to be enrolled in summer school nor show proof of income in order to receive a free meal at the participating HISD schools. Adults may also participate by purchasing breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.25.
Summer School begins Tuesday
Students who plan to take summer school for either course credit, STAAR re-testing, completing courses early or other reasons will begin taking classes very soon.
Each principal will decide their dates of summer school with most campuses expected to begin on June 11, 2013, with an end date ranging from July 3 through July 18. All schools will be closed on July 4.
School districts, law enforcement join Ministers Against Crime for ‘Project Safe Start’
As students across the city enter their final days of the school year, they might see an increased community and law enforcement presence walking the halls.
For more than two decades, Project Safe Start has brought together local religious leaders, school district and area law enforcement, and school officials from districts throughout the area to help prevent crime and increase safety in an effort to get students’ summer vacation off on the right foot.
McGowen Elementary celebrates namesake during official rededication ceremony
During a celebration acknowledging the official name change of Houston Gardens Elementary, both educators and politicians spoke of Ernest McGowen’s legacy in serving his community as well as being a beacon for children who would someday walk the halls of the school now bearing his name.
While the name change became official earlier this year following a groundswell of community support, the school at 6820 Homestead on the city’s northeast side was officially dedicated as Ernest McGowen Sr. Elementary.
Neff Elementary to Celebrate Dedication of New School
‘Hooray for Neff Day’ will mark new building constructed under 2007 bond program
What: Neff Elementary School students and staff will dedicate its new 750-student campus, built under the 2007 bond program, with a ceremony in the school’s cafeteria. The ceremony will be followed by “Hooray for Neff Day.” Events will include student performances, special guest speakers and classroom tours of the new facility.
Who: Neff Principal Rupak Gandhi, HISD Board of Education Trustee Greg Meyers, HISD Chief School Officer Sydney Zullinger
When: Friday, May 24, 2013, 9 a.m. – Ceremony; 11:30 a.m. – ‘Hooray for Neff Day’
Where: Neff Elementary School cafeteria, 8301 Neff St. Houston, Texas 77036
HISD students receive free bicycles from motorcycle club
If the smell of new rubber bike tires didn’t serve as the theme for Friday’s bike giveaway at Coop Elementary, the roar of nearly 20 motorcycles entering the school’s parking lot sufficed.
Members of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, with a donation from the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, donated more than 90 bikes to deserving students at the school as part of the Bikes for Excellence program. The giveaway was part of a two-day effort to give more than 350 bikes to Houston ISD students at four schools who excelled in academics, conduct and attendance.
More Than 350 “Bikes for Excellence” Awarded to HISD Students
Bikes donated by the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, Martha Patricia Jaimes and the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club
More than 350 Houston Independent School District students at Garden Oaks, Looscan, Garcia, and Coop elementary schools will receive bicycles, helmets, and bicycle locks as part of the “Bikes for Excellence” program. This program, founded in 2006 by Park Place Elementary teacher Martha Patricia Jaimes, rewards fifth-grade students who have excelled in academics, personal conduct, and attendance. The Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation help by donating bikes to the program.
During the final ceremony on Friday, May 17 nearly 100 students at Coop Elementary will receive their bikes.
What: 95 fifth-grade students will each receive a bicycle, a helmet, and a bicycle lock
Who: Coop Elementary students, staff and parents; Bikes for Excellence Founder Martha Patricia Jaimes; Sue and Lester Smith; and Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club
When: Friday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Coop Elementary School, 10130 Aldine-Westfield, 77093
Board Members Encourage Participation in Districtwide Survey
Parents, teachers and principals need to fill out ‘Your Voice’ survey by May 20
HISD Board President Anna Eastman and Board Trustee Manuel Rodriguez Jr. are encouraging HISD parents, teachers and principals to fill out and return the Your Voice customer satisfaction survey by May 20, 2013. The survey is the largest of its kind in the history of the district and is being conducted by an outside party so all responses will remain confidential and anonymous. Continue reading
Student Creations to Cruise in Art Car Parade
Eight schools are participating in this weekend’s parade
Students at the Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center are putting the finishing touches on an after school art project that will soon be seen by thousands of Houstonians. Art teacher Carolyn James-Taylor and a group of middle school students have created an entry for this year’s Art Car parade which will be cruising down Houston’s streets on Saturday, May 11, 2013, starting at 3 p.m. Continue reading
Nominate HISD’s Next Employee of the Month!
The next meeting of HISD’s Employee of the Month selection committee is right around the corner,
so don’t wait if you know someone who deserves to be nominated. HISD recently streamlined the process to make it easier than ever for people to submit a nomination. Just click here, fill in the fields, and press “done.” Your nomination will automatically be submitted for consideration at the next meeting. Please note that only employees serving in a non-instructional capacity (i.e. plant operators, secretaries, clerks, custodians, crossing guards, etc.) are eligible for this award.
HISD to Host Inaugural Districtwide Special Olympics Field Day
More than 1,200 students to participate during two-day event
The HISD Office of Special Education Services and Special Olympics Texas have partnered to host the inaugural districtwide Special Olympics Field Day, a two-day event to provide athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and closely related developmental disabilities, on May 2 and 3. More than 1,200 HISD students will be participating in a variety of athletics events such as basketball, track, flag football, soccer, and softball toss events. Houston Texans players and coaches, along with volunteers from HISD’s athletics department, the University of Houston and Hewlett Packard, will be helping out with the event.
What: Inaugural HISD Special Olympics Field Day
Who: HISD Office of Special Education Services staff, HISD students, coaches, Houston Texans players and coaches, and University of Houston and Hewlett Packard volunteers
When: Thursday, May 2, 2013 (Elementary) and Friday, May 3, 2013 (Middle/High) from 9a.m. – 1p.m.
Where: Delmar-Tusa Athletic Complex, 2020 Mangum Road
Students Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Parades, Carnivals
Proceeds from Condit ES event to offset cost of attending Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
HISD students are taking part in dozens of activities this week and next as a part of their observance of Cinco de Mayo (May 5).
Originally celebrated as the day Mexico’s army defeated a much larger French force in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, in America, the date has become an opportunity to learn more about and to celebrate Mexico’s history and culture. Continue reading
HISD recognizes Principals of the Year
Tonya Woods of Lewis Elementary, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.
HISD recognized eight of its most respected and effective administrators on May 1, as the Principals of the Year, First Year Principals of the Year, and Assistant Principals of the Year.
The administrators were nominated by colleagues, teachers, and students for their instructional leadership and efforts to boost student achievement, and the honorees were selected for their outstanding contributions to the district and their school communities.
Here are the 2013 honorees:
Assistant Principals of the Year
Sonja Williams of Madison High School, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.
- Elementary: Maria Espinosa, Rodriguez ES
- Middle: Inge Garibaldi, Williams MS
- High: Opal Harrison, Milby HS
First Year Principals of the Year
- Elementary: Abigail Taylor, Sinclair ES
- Secondary: Geovanny Ponce, Hartman MS
Principals of the Year
- Elementary: Tonya Woods, Lewis ES
- Middle: Nicole Moore Morrison, Key MS
- High: Sonja Williams, Madison HS
See photos of all the Principal of the Year winners.
Nicole Moore of Key Middle School, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.
Superintendent of Schools Terry B. Grier congratulated the administrators during a ceremony at the monthly principals’ meeting. “There’s no doubt that these administrators represent excellence in leadership,” he said. “But there are many other equally deserving principals in this room.”
HISD School Choice Fair Offers Parents Opportunity to Explore Education Options for Students
Representatives from more than 70 HISD schools will be on-site
April 25, 2013 – When it comes to selecting a school, parents and students at the Houston Independent School District have a multitude of options from magnet programs to preschool programs to career and technical education academies and early college high schools. Houston families will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 70 HISD schools at the upcoming HISD School Choice Fair on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hattie Mae White Education Support Center (4400 West 18th Street).
“In HISD, we are committed to providing equity in access to quality educational programs for all students,” said Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat. “We want to help families choose an ideal school for their children based on the students’ interests, talents, and needs.”
The schools at the fair are those that still have space for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year. The representatives from these schools will be available to answer questions, provide detailed information about their campuses and help parents fill out the application on site.
Information will be provided about HISD’s magnet schools, early colleges, vanguard programs for gifted and talented students, preschool programs, multilingual programs and other specialty programs, including the district’s newest additions to its portfolio, the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan and The Energy Institute High School. Parents and students have until May 16 to apply for these two new magnet schools that will feature a highly rigorous curriculum emphasizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
For more information about the School Choice Fair, please contact the Office of School Choice at 713-556-6947.